Program for Leadership Development
Accelerating the careers of high-potential leaders. Unlock the full potential of your organization by increasing your influence and effectiveness as an emerging executive.
- Dates
Jul 16, 2025 – Jan 30, 2026
- Status
Accepting Applications
- Format
Blended
- Location
Virtual and HBS Campus
- Fee
$56,000
The program fee covers tuition, program materials, accommodations, and most meals.
Innovative companies know that long-term success requires a pipeline of visionary leaders who can build and maintain a competitive edge. Elevating your career starts with having the know-how and confidence to be part of that change.
The Program for Leadership Development deepens your knowledge of core business operations and broadens your understanding of today's global marketplace. You'll expand your hard and soft skills and refine your leadership style to deliver impactful results.
Key Program Features
Key Topics
Bring a global perspective to your business strategies
Build a strong foundation in accounting, finance, and quantitative methods
Use marketing to cultivate growth
Understand the cross-functional challenges and ethical responsibilities of corporate leaders
Learn how to lead organizational change and inspire high-performing teams
Strengthen your day-to-day leadership skills
Capitalize on digital transformation
Program Format
- 4
- 4
- 6
The PLD curriculum is tailored to rapidly accelerate the development of emerging business leaders. Delivered via four intensive modules that take place over the course of six months, the compressed format is designed to offer immersive learning while accommodating the demands of your busy schedule.
Module Details
Module 1 | Jul 16 – Oct 4, 2025 | Part-Time | Virtual, Live Online and Self-Paced |
---|---|---|---|
Module 2 | Oct 5 – 17, 2025 | Full-Time | HBS Campus |
Module 3 | Oct 18, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026 | Part-Time | Virtual, Live Online and Self-Paced |
Module 4 | Jan 18 – 30, 2026 | Full-Time | HBS Campus |
Module 1: Part-Time, Virtual (Live Online and Self-Paced)
Topic: Foundational skill building. Participants should set aside 10–12 hours per week to complete self-paced work and eight hours for live online sessions, which include faculty-led sessions, discussion groups, and executive coaching. Details regarding the date and time of the live online sessions are still being determined and information will be released as soon as possible.
Module 2: Full-Time, HBS Campus
Topic: Developing a cross-functional business approach.
Module 3: Part-Time, Virtual (Live Online and Self-Paced)
Topic: Strategy formulation and implementation. Participants should set aside 10–12 hours per week to complete self-paced work and five hours for live online sessions, which include faculty-led sessions, discussion groups, and executive coaching. Details regarding the date and time of the live online sessions are still being determined and information will be released as soon as possible.
Module 4: Full-Time, HBS Campus
Topic: Leading change.
Virtual modules feature work on Harvard Business School Online—a powerful digital platform that captures the dynamism of the HBS classroom, connects you to a global network of peers, and provides exclusive access to a wealth of interactive learning tools.
The two on-campus modules require a total of four weeks away. After completing the four modules, you will have the opportunity to attain HBS Executive Program Alumni status* via PLD Module 5, an optional capstone session.
*You also can attain alumni status by earning 10 PLD Alumni Points through completion of qualifying HBS Executive Education programs. View all qualifying programs.
Who Should Attend
PLD is designed for executives preparing for career growth who want to expand their hard and soft skills and refine their personal leadership style to deliver results for their organization. Ideal candidates include:
Specialists and star contributors who have been identified as outstanding prospects for bigger leadership roles and responsibilities
High potential talent in roles that cover the scope of senior manager, manager, senior director, or director
Global Perspective
Top Industries Represented
- 18%
Financial
- 15%
High Technology
- 10%
Professional Services
- 7%
Nonprofit Services
- 6%
Health Care
- 5%
Utilities/Telecommunications
- 5%
Manufacturing
- 5%
Raw Materials / Energy
- 4%
Education
- 4%
Real Estate / Construction
Experience
Years Worked
- 12%
Less than 10 years
- 40%
10-14 years
- 28%
15-19 years
- 13%
20-24 years
- 4%
25-29 years
- 1%
30-34 years
- 1%
35-39 years
- 1%
40 or more
Companies That Have Participated
- Apple
- Google
- IBM
- Intel
- Investec
- Merck
- Microsoft
- Naval Special Warfare
- Nokia
- Ralph Lauren
- U.S. Steel
Teaching Team
All our executive education programs are developed and taught by a team of widely recognized HBS faculty. Many are skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.
Faculty Chair
Joshua D. Margolis
James Dinan and Elizabeth Miller Professor of Business Administration Unit Head, Organizational Behavior<br>Chair, Program for Leadership Development
The HBS Experience
This is a blended program that alternates in-person and virtual elements. Immersive modules take place on our storied campus where you'll live and learn at the heart of Boston's vibrant business, academic, and technology hubs. Virtual modules provide the opportunity to learn from anywhere in the world to provide flexibility for busy leaders.
At HBS, every detail is carefully calibrated to drive your success. Thoughtfully designed virtual learning experiences. Living arrangements and classrooms that spark connection. Unrivaled academic resources. And rejuvenating fitness, dining, and cultural amenities.
Admissions
We admit applicants on a rolling, space-available basis, so you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.
The selective admissions process is based on professional achievement, organizational responsibility, and the admissions criteria for each program as described in Who Should Attend. There are no formal educational requirements for HBS Executive Education programs.
Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.